The Global Engagement Lab (GEL) is a unique, immersive 9-month training program designed for progressive funders and grantmakers who are ready to rethink their role in philanthropy and actively contribute to systemic change. More than a traditional capacity-building initiative, GEL is a deep learning journey that combines political education, personal transformation, and collective action.

The upcoming Global Engagement Lab 6 (GEL 6) cohort, running from September 2026 to June 2027, is centered on the theme “Organizing Funders Toward Systemic Change.” It invites participants to critically examine philanthropy as a system of power while equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to transform it from within.

Understanding the Purpose of the Global Engagement Lab

At its core, GEL is built on the recognition that today’s global challenges—climate crises, inequality, and social injustice—are deeply systemic. Addressing them requires more than traditional grantmaking approaches.

The program focuses on three foundational pillars:

Deepening knowledge of systemic crises and the movements responding to them
Fostering personal transformation to align values with action
Exploring the concept of the “funder organizer” as a catalyst for long-term systemic change

Through these pillars, GEL creates a space where funders can move beyond surface-level alignment and begin engaging with the deeper political and structural dimensions of their work.

Why GEL 6 Matters Now

There is growing tension within philanthropy. While many institutions speak about justice, equity, and systems change, fewer are willing to confront the realities of power, capital, and institutional risk.

GEL 6 is designed for those who recognize this gap.

Rather than offering technical solutions to improve grantmaking processes, GEL 6 challenges participants to:

Examine philanthropy as a site of power and influence
Understand the limitations of traditional funding models
Explore how to organize within institutions to drive meaningful change

It is a space for honest reflection, political clarity, and collective experimentation.

Key Goals of GEL 6

The program aims to equip participants with the mindset and tools needed to transform philanthropy from within. Specifically, GEL 6 seeks to:

Support funders in becoming active agents of change, capable of influencing both their organizations and the broader sector
Build knowledge, skills, and political awareness around power, capital, and narrative
Strengthen the ability to apply organizing principles across personal, organizational, and systemic levels
Move beyond values alignment toward sustained, strategic, and movement-driven action

Who Should Apply?

GEL 6 is designed for:

Mid-career and senior funders or grantmakers
Professionals who already recognize the limitations of traditional philanthropy
Individuals with the capacity to influence decision-making within their institutions
Those willing to engage deeply with complex issues of power, privilege, and systemic change

This is not an introductory course. It is intended for practitioners ready to treat philanthropy as a political actor capable of transformation.

What Participants Will Explore

The GEL 6 curriculum is structured around four interconnected areas of inquiry:

1. Personal Thresholds and Political Clarity

Participants reflect on their positionality within systems of power and capital. This includes examining personal values, risk tolerance, and the internal barriers that influence decision-making. The goal is to build more accountable and grounded leadership.

2. Funder Organizing

GEL 6 redefines the role of funders—not just as supporters of movements, but as organizers within philanthropy. Participants learn principles such as base-building, collective strategy, and long-term power-building, and explore how to apply them within their institutions.

3. Systems Change, Capital, and Narrative

The program introduces frameworks like Just Transition, Buen Vivir, and feminist and critical race theories. Participants analyze how capital and narratives shape global systems and explore ways to organize resources for transformative impact.

4. Time, Discipline, and Resilience

Systemic change requires endurance. This component focuses on long-term strategy, leadership development, institutional memory, and navigating conflict with resilience and clarity.

Learning Approach and Experience

GEL 6 uses a cohort-based, experiential learning model that integrates:

Reflective practice
Applied systems thinking
Peer learning and collaboration
Engagement with movement practitioners

Participants are expected to actively contribute, share experiences, and learn collectively. This collaborative environment fosters solidarity, accountability, and long-term alignment.

Program Structure and Timeline

The program combines in-person retreats, virtual workshops, and ongoing cohort engagement.

Key Components:

In-Person Retreat I (September 2026, Mexico)
Virtual Workshops and Monthly Check-ins
In-Person Retreat II (2027, location TBC – Morocco, Senegal, or Kenya)
Final Reflection and Continued Engagement through EDGE

Timeline Overview:

2026

March–April: Applications open
May: Cohort selection
June–August: Onboarding and preparation
September: First in-person retreat
October–November: Virtual sessions

2027

January–March: Continued workshops
May: Second retreat and EDGE Conference
June: Program closure and next steps

All virtual sessions are scheduled at 2:00 PM UTC.

Program Fees

Fees vary depending on organizational budget and EDGE membership status.

EDGE Members:

$3,500 – Solidarity rate (under $1M budget)
$5,000 – Full cost ($1M–$2M budget)
$6,500 – Redistribution rate (above $2M budget)

Non-Members:

$4,000 – Solidarity rate
$5,500 – Full cost
$7,000 – Redistribution rate

Fees cover all program-related expenses except flights.

Facilitators and Learning Community

GEL 6 will be led by experienced facilitators Bridget Brehen and Hana ElSafoury, alongside guest speakers from global movements and philanthropic organizations. Participants will also engage with a broader ecosystem of aligned initiatives such as:

Justice Funders
Thousand Currents

These partnerships reflect GEL’s commitment to collaboration rather than competition within the field of funder organizing.

What Makes GEL 6 Unique?

GEL 6 stands out for its politically grounded and action-oriented approach. Unlike traditional philanthropy training programs, it:

Treats philanthropy as a space for organizing and transformation
Provides practical tools for institutional change
Encourages deep personal and political reflection
Connects participants to movement-led strategies and global networks

By the end of the program, participants gain:

Clearer understanding of their influence and limitations
Strategies for applying organizing principles in real-world contexts
A shared framework for long-term systemic impact

How to Apply

Applications for GEL 6 are open between March and April 2026, with the cohort finalized in May.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early and prepare for a rigorous, transformative experience that goes beyond traditional professional development.

Click Here to apply.

Deadline: May 4, 2026

The Global Engagement Lab 6 is not just a program—it is a call to action for funders who are ready to move beyond conventional philanthropy and actively engage in shaping a more just and equitable world.

For those willing to confront complexity, embrace transformation, and organize for systemic change, GEL 6 offers a rare and powerful opportunity.

Discover more similar opportunities here .

Apply for Global Engagement Lab 6 (GEL 2026–2027): Transformative Program for Grantmakers and Funders @2027): Transformative Program for Grantmakers and Funders